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Australian cricket great Merv Hughes has pointed out a stunning fact about the England bowling attack after the Three Lions' shattering loss in the first Test in Perth.
The former paceman won a war of words with an abusive fan by pointing out that all 12 of the tourists' dismissals were taken by players who weren't born in England.
Hughes made the revelation on X in response to a fan who was poking fun at Steve Smith for crying in a press conference after he was sanctioned for his role in the 2018 Sandpapergate ball-tampering saga.
Ben Stokes (born in New Zealand) took five wickets in the first innings, Brydon Carse (born in South Africa) claimed five scalps across the entire match, and Jofra Archer (born in Barbados) took two wickets, with Gus Atkinson and Mark Wood, the only pacemen born in England, going wicketless.
The former fast bowler also reminded the fan that all 20 of Australia's first-Test dismissals came from bowlers who were born Down Under.
'Cop this one Craig … you might have a cry yourself!!!!' Hughes captioned the picture on X.
Merv Hughes (pictured ahead of the 2025/26 Ashes series) is an Aussie cult hero known for refusing to take a backwards step when he's abused online
England captain Ben Stokes (pictured) was born in New Zealand before moving to England at the age of 12
Jofra Archer (pictured) moved from Barbados to England in 2015 after being snubbed for the West Indies 2014 ICC T20 World Cup Team
Hughes is one of the most vocal former cricketers on social media, and has engaged in very tense exchanges over the years with fans and commentators.
His ongoing feud with English TV presenter and journalist Piers Morgan stands out.
The former fast bowler branded Morgan a 'hypocritical flog' and 'moron' following the broadcaster's reaction to the controversial stumping of England batter Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023.
That saw Morgan's production team to put out an invitation for Hughes to appear on the Piers Morgan Uncensored show, which was swiftly declined.
Hughes was no stranger to verbal clashes with opponents during his playing days.
His exchange with Javed Miandad is especially memorable, with the Pakistani legend calling him a 'fat bus conductor', prompting Hughes to shoot back, 'Tickets, please!' when he took his wicket.
'Swervin' Mervyn' also asked former England captain Graham Gooch, 'Would you like me to bowl a piano and see if you can play that?' after he played and missed at several deliveries.
The big-hearted fast bowler remains one of the most beloved figures in the game Down Under thanks to his talent and big personality.
The popular Victorian former fast bowler has made a very interesting point in the early part of England's Ashes campaign
Piers Morgan (pictured) has been very vocal on the state of Australian cricket over the past three years in particular
Hughes (pictured in his playing days) remains one of Australia's most popular cricketers
Hughes was a crowd favourite thanks to his distinctive look, fiery on-field demeanour and widely impersonated habit of stretching to warm up before bowling stints.
The Victorian bowler took 212 wickets across 52 Tests, making his debut against India in the 1985-86 series.
No fewer than 75 of those scalps came against England.
Hughes also scored one Test half century during his nine-year stint as a major part of the Aussie Test team.
